Contraption in the woods... what is it?

[slowtwitch73]

Found this in an old irrigation canal in an area by a creek where the city used to get it's water until the 1980's.

Looks to be water tight and fairly old. The rod is contiguous through the barrel. It has a partition inside it from what I could see.

Some kind of adjustable floating valve to operate a gate?

 

[Beerhippie]

Your guess is as good as anything I can think of.

Farmers get all kinds of creative, especially when it comes to repurposing things. At least that one doesn't look likely to get anyone killed or maimed.

 

[mrb1]

Same exact one???

www.reddit.com/r/missoula/

 

[rlitman]

Same exact one???

www.reddit.com/r/missoula/

The rock in the foreground is pretty distinctive. My guess is it was something someone made to confuse people finding it in the future.

 

[Dagny]

It's a bear trap but the peanut butter and 500 gallon pail are missing.